There's a saying that goes, "The enemy of my enemy is my friend."
Both Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai had been defeated by Lu Xiuyuan.
There was nothing they could do; after all, Lu Xiuyuan was the one who actually married Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi was facing a table full of delicious food, about to pick up her chopsticks.
Then Shang Huai and Xiao Chengci came over in a harmonious manner.
Pei Zhi was also quite curious. How come the two of them had made up so quickly after arguing like that?
"Zhizhi, the food festival in the city may last for about three days."
"Ah Huai will probably be going out on patrol every day for the next three days. How about I accompany you out for a stroll for the next few days?"
Upon hearing this, Shang Huai surprisingly refrained from arguing with Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi worried, "But with prices soaring in the city, can this event still be held?"
Pei Minxue laughed and said, "This was our oversight, but now that we've discovered it, we'll definitely make improvements."
"A notice has been issued in the city that all inns, restaurants, and teahouses that cater to outsiders will offer a 70% discount on their previous prices."
“The money they lose is registered and can be used to offset taxes.”
"That's a good idea, shall I stay at an inn too?"
Pei Minxue immediately asked, "Which inn are you staying at?"
"It's not like you have nowhere to stay. The inn is a mixed bag, and it's not safe for a young lady like you."
Pei Zhi shrugged indifferently, "Haven't I been staying at inns the whole way here?"
Shang Huai said, "I have many guest rooms in my residence. Why don't you stay here?"
"There are servants to serve you in the mansion. If you need anything, just ask. It's more comfortable than staying in an inn."
On the way here, Shang Huai and Xiao Chengci had already discussed it.
These past few days, Shang Huai has had to take care of the city's security.
Xiao Chengci spent his days with Pei Zhi and took her back to the Shang residence in the evenings.
That way, Shang Huai could meet Pei Zhi that evening.
Because Pei Minxue mentioned Lu Xiuyuan's name, Shang Huai and Xiao Chengci actually started discussing things together.
Pei Minxue nodded in agreement, "You're staying here, which is close to where I live, and I feel at ease with that."
Pei Zhi's expression was somewhat strange. "We're not married yet, wouldn't it be inappropriate for us to live together?"
Pei Zhi observed that the Shang residence did not seem to have any elders living there; it appeared that Shang Huai was the only master.
Pei Minxue never expected that Pei Zhi, who was usually so carefree, would actually care about etiquette.
Shang Huai readily agreed, saying, "Then how about this?"
"Brother Minxue, why don't you move in too, and keep Zhizhi company?"
"You two siblings haven't seen each other for so long, living together will give you more opportunities to chat."
After listening, Pei Minxue looked at Xiao Chengci, seemingly waiting for Xiao Chengci's reply.
Xiao Chengci is His Majesty, and Pei Minxue is accompanying His Majesty on this mission.
Naturally, Pei Minxue should be wherever His Majesty is.
“Ah Huai is right, you should move in.”
Pei Minxue was overjoyed and agreed, "Okay then."
Pei Zhi suddenly put down her chopsticks. "Shang Huai is a general who has been granted the title of Marquis."
"My brother is a vice minister."
Pei Zhi looked directly at Xiao Chengci and said, "I still don't know your name or what you do."
At the dinner table, no one expected Pei Zhi to ask such a question.
None of them concealed Xiao Chengci's identity.
But no one ever told Pei Zhi about Xiao Chengci's identity.
Shang Huai and Pei Minxue both shut up; clearly, this question should be answered by Xiao Chengci himself.
Xiao Chengci hesitated for a moment, unsure whether to deceive, give a perfunctory answer, or tell the truth.
For the first time, Xiao Chengci realized that his identity as an emperor was something he couldn't bring himself to say.
Xiao Chengci was just worried that Pei Zhi would become resistant to him after she learned his identity.
Having an overly prestigious status is sometimes not a good thing.
At least, it's not a good thing for a girl like Pei Zhi.
But when Xiao Chengci recalled his past with Pei Zhi, he realized that he had disrespected Pei Zhi many times, which was why he ended up in this situation.
Heaven smiled upon him, allowing him to get to know Pei Zhi anew.
Xiao Chengci thought that he should not repeat the same mistake.
Xiao Chengci put down his chopsticks and solemnly said, "My name is Chengci."
Pei Zhi nodded and muttered, "Cheng Ci?"
Xiao Chengci responded, "My surname is Xiao."
Pei Zhi continued nodding, but halfway through, she realized something was wrong.
Xiao is the imperial surname; apart from members of the royal family, no one dares to use the surname Xiao.
Pei Zhi's expression slowly hardened. Xiao Chengci's identity was clearly that of someone of high status and wealth.
On his way here, Pei Zhi heard that the General Who Guards the North is the Emperor’s cousin.
Hearing that Xiao Chengci and Shang Huai were cousins, Pei Zhi never imagined that Xiao Chengci would be an emperor.
The main problem is that Xiao Chengci is too sentimental.
For example, the first time she met Xiao Chengci, she stabbed him with a sword.
If Xiao Chengci were truly His Majesty, would she have been able to leave the capital alive?
"Your Majesty the Empress Dowager is my mother."
Pei Zhi closed her eyes, then stood up and decisively bowed to Xiao Chengci.
Despite her suspicions, Pei Zhi resigned herself to her fate after hearing Xiao Chengci utter the word "朕" (zhen, meaning "I, the Emperor") directly.
We're doomed.
Did she go too far before?
She actually cuckolded the current emperor?
No, why?
Where did she get such audacity?
After cuckolding His Majesty, she even stabbed Xiao Chengci with a sword when they met again.
Then, she was able to sit at the same table and eat with Xiao Chengci without any problems.
Upon seeing Pei Zhi kneel down, Xiao Chengci immediately stood up and helped her up.
"Why are you kneeling? We don't need to do that between us."
Xiao Chengci bent down and personally patted the dust off Pei Zhi's skirt.
"From now on, you won't need to kneel when you see me."
Pei Zhi took two steps back. "This is unreasonable."
"Why would you back out? I say we'll settle, and that's it."
Xiao Chengci personally brushed the dust off Pei Zhi's dress, then pressed Pei Zhi's shoulder and made her sit down.
Shang Huai, who had been silently peeling two crabs, exchanged his bowl with Pei Zhi's.
"Eat up, aren't you hungry?"
Pei Zhi looked left at Shang Huai and right at Xiao Chengci.
These two are both fine young men, how could she have ruined them?
After finishing his meal, Shang Huai rested briefly before heading out on patrol.
Pei Minxue also had many important matters to attend to.
The most relaxed people were Xiao Chengci and Pei Zhi.
"You are the emperor, are you alright?"
Pei Zhi watched as Xiao Chengci peeled grapes for her after he finished eating.
"This is the northern part of the city, not the capital. There are no official documents to deal with here."
There were already quite a few peeled grapes on the plate in front of Pei Zhi.
"That's enough, I don't want to eat anymore."
Pei Zhi thought she still needed some time to accept that the Emperor was her lapdog.
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
